Lawrenson: Kenny bringing magic back

It was like the good old days at Anfield on Saturday. But the truth is there is nothing new or revolutionary about the methods Kenny Dalglish is using to transform Liverpool's fortunes.

A 5-0 thumping of Birmingham City underlined the impact my old team-mate has made since taking over the manager's role once again.

The feelgood factor has most definitely returned. And, more than anything, Dalglish has raised expectation levels among the players and supporters. That is the way things should be at Liverpool.

It's not new-style management, though. These are old-style tricks. Different managers have different methods, but from what is being shown on the pitch, Liverpool's players are simply enjoying themselves more.

The greater the enjoyment, the harder you seem to work. Training for a professional footballer can at times be a bit of drudgery, especially if you aren't in the team.

But Liverpool's squad are obviously enjoying themselves at Melwood and are all having a go when called up for the team.

Look at Maxi Rodriguez at the weekend. He hadn't played for a month, and it may well be that he has perhaps been thinking of going back to South America in the summer.

Yet from his hat-trick and his comments afterwards, it's clear Maxi has bought into what Dalglish is selling. All the players have.

People understate the importance of confidence and spirit in the dressing room, but those are qualities every successful team has in abundance.

Seven points from the last three games against Manchester City, Arsenal and Birmingham is an excellent return, particularly considering the absentee list.

The youngsters have come in at the right time. If the likes of John Flanagan and Jack Robinson had been thrown in during the first half of the campaign, it would have been very difficult for them.

But they have come into a team on the up. As a young player, you don't want to be taking your first steps in a team where the senior players are struggling for form.

The youngsters, though, have been a bonus, and Dalglish was right last week to state their emergence should not be used as an excuse not to splash the cash this summer.

Ideally, Liverpool need to sign at least half-a-dozen new players. Yes, some of those could be the odd 30 or 31-year-old to help bring the youngsters through.

But it would be unwise to place more pressure on those fledgling talents than is required.

Dalglish will know that Liverpool cannot progress to the level required without an injection of more senior, established players during the transfer window.

Liverpool's run of form, and Tottenham Hotspur's faltering recent results, has opened up the very real possibility of a top five finish for Dalglish's men.

Getting back into Europe can only help in terms of attracting new players, but even if Liverpool fall short, it's evident to everyone they are once again going places.

Source: Daily Post

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